Monday, November 29, 2021 – Making strides in Native-led school curricula
A survey in 2019 backed by the National Congress of American Indians concluded that the lack of access to adequate funding, equitable curricula, and professional development hinders suitable Native American lessons in schools. The good news is many states since then have recognized those barriers and are making strides to introduce Native-led curricula into schools. The state of Minnesota, for instance, is committing an extra $1.3 million for recruiting and training Native teachers, bringing in more input from Native educators and connecting better with Native students.
Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – Uncovering the history of U.S. boarding schools
Researchers in Nebraska have worked for years to find and organize documents from the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School. Part of the project includes identifying students who were buried on school grounds whose records were lost over the years. As the federal government begins its scrutiny of the country’s boarding schools, we’ll hear about what it takes to adequately uncover the truth about the 300 schools aimed at forced assimilation of Native children.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021 – Music Maker: PIQSIQ
The Indigenous voice has a lot of power. That power is amplified when it echoes the sounds of our Indigenous nations. The Indigenous artistry of Inuksuk Mackay (Inuit) and Tiffany Ayalik (Inuit), known as PIQSIQ, exemplify that power with their latest album “Live from Christ Church Cathedral.” You hear Inuit throat singing in a space that the duo says was once forbidden and highlights a lively moment in time when the duo improvised on the spot. Each song narrates a part of the journey to resist the colonization that once demonized Inuit culture and identity.
Thursday, December 2, 2021 – Taking control of the Food Distribution Program
The Oneida and Lummi nations and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium are among those taking part in an effort to operate their own federal commodity food programs, known as “Commods”. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation’s Self-Determination Demonstration Project offers authorization to tribes under Public Law 93-638 to select foods included in program food packages for the first time. It’s a big step toward tribal food sovereignty and a move that could boost local and tribal food economies.
Friday, December 3, 2021 – Connecting with small Native businesses
It’s the time of year many small Native businesses rely on for a major portion of their annual income. There are always challenges to stand out among the big box stores and online retailers during the gift-giving season. In addition to the ongoing pandemic, many small merchants have to also cope with difficulties getting materials through a supply chain slowdown. We’ll check in with some Native sellers about the joys and difficulties of this time of year.
